Costa Rica

Costa Rica was under the rule of Spain in the past, exports tourism, coffee, and cigarette, and doesn't have its army. It doesn't cling to economic growth according to the logic of capital, and that’s why there is no large hotel in Costa Rica, although the tourism is the main source of revenue. Politicians in this country say that “It is the best that all the hotels are almost the same” economically, because if big hotels are built, the Mafia will come to acquire rights and it cannot produce good results.
 Also, Costa Rica is the country where the president jogs in the early morning without guards and tourists can look around the Oval Office. Where is its strength to love peace without army from?
 It is located in Central America connecting North with South America and contiguous with Panama which is famous for its canal. The Panama Canal is not only the largest right of USA but also a key point militarily and economically. And to the north, it is contiguous with Nicaragua and Guatemala that war clouds hang over because of their civil war.
 In the 1980’s, the world was divided into East and West in the Cold War era, had to choose between the United States and the Soviet Union and there was no Central and South American country without military intervention of USA directly and indirectly.

 In this situation, Costa Rica is struggling in conflict between the neighboring Nicaragua's communist legitimacy government and that of America; however situationally, no matter which side Costa Rica takes, it will be swallowed up by war. Thus came the <Declaration of Active Permanent Demilitarization Neutrality> in 1983. This means that there will be a permanent state of demilitarization of army and weaponry. The country will be in neutrality, meaning that it will take no sides in whatsoever conflicts; and the president has made an official declaration to many other foreign countries.
     At first, America ignored this declaration of neutrality; however, Costa Rica managed to convince the developed countries in Europe and received their support, the US had to accept.
     The only country in the world that is currently divided and always in the danger of war where the sacrifice of youth follows, Korea and Costa Rica are similar in that they are geopolitically located between powerful nations and were both once poor countries! The biggest factor that allowed Costa Rica to choose peace is said to be the "pure and simple way of life." Rather than doing their utmost to survive, they enjoyed their lives to be almot the same. Military was an expression of excessive greed and just as limitless economic growth comes through environmental factors, they said that hoping for the little things and being satisfied with them was happiness and joy.